Sanitary guard for food and beverages

ABSTRACT

A sanitary guard for food and beverages is provided. The sanitary guard includes a guard plate and a mechanism for securing the guard plate to the torso of an individual user. When the guard plate is secured to the user, the guard plate extends outwardly from the torso of the user and establishes a protective barrier between the user&#39;s head and upper body area and any food or beverages being prepared or handled by the user. The guard plate is transparent so that the user can see through the plate and easily view the food being handled. The sanitary guard protects any food or beverages being handled by the user from human contaminants that may come from the user&#39;s head or upper body. Because the guard plate is secured to an individual user&#39;s torso, a protective barrier is always present without interfering with the user&#39;s ability to work.

FIELD OF INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention refers generally to a device for guarding food and beverages from saliva and other human contaminants.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, made-to-order food and beverage establishments have become increasingly popular. In such establishments, the food or beverage ingredients used to fulfill customer orders are typically laid out in a series of portioning pans or shelving units that are generally positioned below a standing employee's head. To fulfill a customer's food or beverage order, a customer and an employee engage in conversation concerning matters such as the type, size, and ingredients of the customer's desired order. While a protective barrier usually exists between the customer and the food or beverage ingredients, such a barrier is generally absent between the employee and the food and beverage ingredients during the ordering process. Accordingly, while the employee is speaking with the customer, the food and beverage ingredients are largely exposed to contaminants such as saliva, hair, or any other human contaminants that are generally emitted from an employee's upper body or head region. Moreover, because employees frequently converse with one another while preparing a customer's food or beverage orders, this problem persists even in food and beverage establishments where customers have no interaction with the employees preparing their food or beverage. Therefore, such ingredients are frequently exposed to a variety of contaminants and unsanitary conditions. Although these ingredients are typically covered by some protective element, such as lids or caps when a customer's order is not being filled, such protective elements do not solve the problem evidenced above, as employees must necessarily remove such protective elements in order to have physical access to the ingredients needed to complete a customer's order.

Moreover, because employees in food and beverage establishments must frequently hand deliver customer orders directly to a customer's table, merely implementing a protective barrier on the area or station that houses the food or beverage ingredients does not cure the problem identified above. Additionally, because employees must frequently communicate with one another while preparing a customer's order, implementing a protective barrier directly around an employee's head region is undesirable, as doing so can impede an employee's speech, hearing, or ability to breath.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a sanitary guard device that protects food and beverage ingredients from contaminants emitted from an individual's head or upper-body region while still permitting an individual to interact with such ingredients. Furthermore, a need exists in the art for a sanitary guard that protects completed food and beverages orders from contaminants while the order is being delivered to the customer. Additionally, a need exists in the art for a food and beverage guard that achieves these functionalities without impeding an individual's speech, hearing, or ability to breathe.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a sanitary guard for protecting food and beverages from human contaminants. The sanitary guard comprises a guard plate and at least one securing element attached to the guard plate for securing the guard plate to the torso of a user. When secured to the user, the guard plate extends outwardly from the torso of the user on the user's front side. In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate is positioned generally adjacent to the user's chest and extends outwardly from the chest area. At least a substantial portion of the guard plate is transparent so that the user can look downward and see through the guard plate when preparing or handling food or beverages.

Because the sanitary guard of the present invention is secured to an individual user, the guard plate protects food or beverages being prepared or handled by the user wherever the user goes. Securing the guard plate in a position generally adjacent to the chest area keeps the guard plate far enough away from the user's face so that the guard plate does not obstruct the user's ability to speak, hear, or breathe. In addition, positioning the guard plate at chest level keeps the guard plate close enough to the user's face to provide effective protection for food and beverages while allowing the size of the plate to be minimized so that the plate does not interfere with the user's ability to work.

In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate comprises a generally flat central portion having a top face, a bottom face, and an outer perimeter. In addition, the guard plate preferably has a sidewall disposed along the outer perimeter and extending upward from the top face. The sidewall prevents any contaminants that may accumulate on the guard plate from falling off the edge of the plate and potentially onto food or beverages.

The guard plate may be of any suitable shape but preferably has at least one end that is generally straight and that has a sidewall that is generally perpendicular to the flat central portion. The sidewall disposed along the straight end abuts against the torso of the user and preferably has a securing element attached to the exterior of the sidewall, such as adhesive or hook and loop tape. The straight end allows the sidewall of the guard plate to be positioned flush against the user's torso, which provides greater contact surface against the user and thus better support for the guard plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the sanitary guard further comprises a strap having two ends that are each attached to the guard plate. The strap can be wrapped around the user's torso and tightened in order to secure the guard plate to the user's torso. In one embodiment, the strap is used in conjunction with an additional securing element, such as adhesive or hook and loop tape, to provide better support for the guard plate and to keep the plate properly positioned during use.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary guard that protects food and beverages from any type of human contaminants sourcing from an individual's upper body or head region.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary guard that is secured to an individual user and thereby goes wherever the user goes while the device is in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary guard that establishes a protective barrier for food and beverages without interfering with a user's ability to work with their hands.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary guard that does not obstruct a user's ability to speak, hear, or breathe while the device is in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a sanitary guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a sanitary guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of a sanitary guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an elevational view of a sanitary guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of a sanitary guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of a sanitary guard secured to a user in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an elevational view of a sanitary guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the Claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc., are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a sanitary guard for protecting food and beverages from human contaminants is provided. The sanitary guard can be secured to the torso of a user such that it provides continuous protection for food and beverages while the user is working. The sanitary guard protects food or beverages being prepared or handled by the user from contaminants such as saliva, hair, or similar human contaminants, particularly those that may emanate from the head or upper body of the user.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sanitary guard comprises a guard plate 10 and at least one securing element 26 attached to the guard plate 10 for securing the guard plate 10 to the torso 40 of a user. FIG. 6 illustrates one illustrative embodiment of the sanitary guard secured to a user during normal use. When secured to the user, the guard plate 10 extends outwardly from the torso 40 of the user on the user's front side. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the guard plate 10 is positioned generally adjacent to the user's chest and extends outwardly from the chest area. At least a substantial portion of the guard plate 10 is transparent so that the user can look downward and see through the guard plate 10. The transparent plate 10 allows the user to prepare or handle food with their hands while still being able to easily see the food as the user is preparing or handling the food.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the guard plate 10 has a generally flat central portion 12 having a top face 14 and a bottom face 16. The central portion 12 has an outer perimeter 18 and preferably has a sidewall 20 disposed along the perimeter 18 and extending upward from the top face 14, as best seen in FIG. 2. The sidewall 20 prevents any contaminants that may accumulate on the guard plate 10 from falling off the edge of the plate 10 and potentially onto food or beverages. In one embodiment, the sidewall 20 may have a lip 22 extending outwardly from the sidewall 20 along a portion of the sidewall 20.

In another preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the guard plate 10 has at least one end 24 that is generally straight. The end of the plate 10 opposite the straight end 24 is preferably curved, though the plate 10 may come in a variety of shapes and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, in alternate embodiments, the central portion 12 may be curved such that the plate has a bowl-like shape.

The sanitary guard further comprises at least one securing element 26 attached to the guard plate 10. The securing element 26 is configured such that the guard plate 10 can be secured to the torso 40 of a user in a position in which the guard plate 10 extends outwardly from the torso 40 of the user, as shown in FIG. 6. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the securing element 26 is attached to the exterior of a portion of the sidewall 20 disposed along the straight end 24 of the guard plate 10. Preferably, the portion of the sidewall 20 disposed along the straight end 24 of the guard plate 10 is generally perpendicular to the flat central portion 12 of the plate 10 such that the sidewall 20 disposed along the straight end 24 abuts against the torso 40 of the user with the guard plate 10 generally extending outward from the torso 40 of the user when the guard plate 10 is secured to the user for use.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the securing element 26 preferably comprises adhesive or a component of hook and loop tape. In this embodiment, the guard plate 10 may be secured to the torso 40 of the user by attaching the guard plate 10 to an outer garment worn by the user. For instance, the securing element 26 may comprise an adhesive strip that adheres to a garment worn by the user. Because of the location of the adhesive strip, the sidewall 20 along the straight end 24 abuts the torso 40 of the user and the guard plate 10 extends outwardly from the torso 40 of the user, as shown in FIG. 6.

In another embodiment, the securing element 26 attached to the guard plate 10 may comprise a component of hook and loop tape, which may be either the hook component or the loop component. In this embodiment, the second component of the hook and loop tape is attached to an outer garment worn by the user in an appropriate location for attaching the guard plate 10 to the garment. When attached to the garment via the hook and loop tape, the guard plate 10 extends outwardly as shown in FIG. 6.

In other embodiments, the securing element 26 as shown in FIG. 2 may comprise any suitable means of securing the guard plate 10 to the torso 40 of the user by attachment to a garment worn by the user. Although adhesive and hook and loop tape are preferred means of securing the guard plate 10 to a user's torso 40, other means of securing the guard plate 10 may include, but are not limited to, snap fasteners, clips, hooks, zippers, magnets, interlocking tabs, suction, any combination thereof, or any similar securing means known in the art.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the sidewall 20 of the guard plate 10 preferably varies in height from one end of the plate 10 to the opposite end, with the greatest height preferably being at the straight end 24 of the plate 10. Maximizing the height of the sidewall 20 at the straight end 24 of the guard plate 10 provides a flat end with a larger contact surface area. The straight end 24 allows the guard plate 10 to be positioned flush against the user's torso 40 with the sidewall 20 along the straight end 24 abutting against the user's torso 40, as shown in FIG. 6. A larger contact surface at the straight end 24 provides better support for the guard plate 10 against the user's torso 40 so that the guard plate 10 remains in a position in which the plate 10 is extending outwardly from the user's torso 40. Minimizing the height of the sidewall 20 at the end of the guard plate 10 opposite the flat end 24 minimizes the overall weight of the plate 10, particularly at the end of the plate 10 extended away from the user's torso 40, which also helps with the stability of the plate 10 so that the plate remains in a position extending outwardly.

In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate 10 is constructed of a transparent material that is relatively thin and lightweight, such as plastic. In other embodiments, the guard plate may comprise other materials such as rubber. A thin, lightweight material is preferred to provide a guard plate 10 that can be easily maintained in a proper position once secured to the user and that will not easily detach. At least a substantial portion of the guard plate 10 is transparent so that the user can look downward and see through the guard plate 10. At least the central portion 12 of the plate 10 should be transparent so that the user can see the food or beverages that the user is preparing or handling. In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate 10 is constructed of a material that is dishwasher safe such that the guard plate 10 can be washed and reused.

FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred embodiment of a sanitary guard in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the securing element 26 is preferably an adhesive strip attached to the sidewall 20 of the guard plate 10. The adhesive strip has a backing material that can be peeled off before using the sanitary guard. Once the backing is removed, the adhesive strip is applied to an outer garment worn by the user to attach the guard plate 10 to the garment.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the sanitary guard further comprises a strap 30 that functions as a second securing element to provide further support for the guard plate 10 in order to keep the plate 10 in the proper position extending outwardly from the torso 40 of the user during use. The strap 30 is configured such that the guard plate 10 can be secured to the torso 40 of the user by tightening the strap 30 around the user's torso 40. In a preferred embodiment, the strap 30 has two ends, which are each attached to the guard plate 10, preferably to the sidewall 10 along the straight end 24 of the plate 10, as shown in FIG. 5. The strap 30 comprises a buckle 32, which can be disconnected so that the strap 30 can be wrapped around the user's torso 40 and then reconnected so that the strap 30 extends entirely around the user's torso 40, as shown in FIG. 6. The strap 30 can then be tightened around the user's torso 40 by pulling an excess length of strap 30 through the buckle 32. In an alternative embodiment, the strap 30 may be utilized as the only securing element to secure the guard plate 10 to the user's torso 40 without using an additional securing element such as adhesive or hook and loop tape.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sanitary guard secured to a user and being used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the guard plate 10 extends outwardly from the torso 40 of the user on the user's front side during use. The guard plate 10 is positioned so that the top face 14 and the sidewall 20 face upward. The central portion 12 of the guard plate 10 is transparent so that the user can see the food or beverages being prepared or handled below the guard plate 10. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the guard plate 10 is secured to the user's torso 40 in a position generally adjacent to the chest area of the user. Securing the guard plate 10 in this position keeps the guard plate 10 far enough away from the user's face so that the guard plate 10 does not obstruct the user's ability to speak, hear, or breathe. In addition, positioning the guard plate 10 at chest level keeps the guard plate 10 close enough to the user's face to provide effective protection for food and beverages while allowing the size of the plate 10 to be minimized so that the plate 10 does not interfere with the user's ability to work. In a preferred embodiment, the guard plate 10 has a length and a width each in the range of about six inches to about ten inches.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the sidewall 20 disposed along the straight end 24 of the guard plate 10 has an aperture 28 extending through the sidewall 20. The aperture 28 has a lower portion having a wider diameter than an upper portion. The upper and lower portions of the aperture 28 are sized such that a standard sized shirt button can be inserted through the lower portion but not the upper portion of the aperture 28. Once the button has been inserted through the lower portion of the aperture 28, the guard plate 10 then moves downward and rests on the button in order to provide additional support to the plate 10 and keep the plate 10 properly positioned during use. The aperture 28 is preferably utilized for securing the guard plate 10 in conjunction with one or more additional securing elements including, but not limited to, an adhesive, a component of hook and loop tape, a strap, or any combination thereof. The aperture 28 is centrally positioned in the sidewall 20 along the straight end of the guard plate 10. In this configuration, the guard plate 10 preferably comprises two separate securing elements 26 attached to the exterior of the sidewall 20 on either side of the aperture 28, as shown in FIG. 7, which provides additional support for the guard plate 10 without obstructing the aperture 28.

It is understood that versions of the invention may come in different forms and embodiments. Additionally, it is understood that one of skill in the art would appreciate these various forms and embodiments as falling within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitary guard, comprising: a guard plate, wherein at least a substantial portion of the guard plate is transparent, and at least one securing element attached to the guard plate, wherein the at least one securing element is configured such that the guard plate can be secured to the torso of a user in a position in which the guard plate extends outwardly from the torso of the user.
 2. The sanitary guard of claim 1, wherein the guard plate has a sidewall disposed along the perimeter of the guard plate.
 3. The sanitary guard of claim 1, wherein the guard plate has at least one end that is generally straight.
 4. The sanitary guard of claim 3, wherein the guard plate comprises a generally flat central portion and a sidewall disposed along the perimeter of the guard plate on at least the straight end of the guard plate, and wherein the sidewall disposed along the straight end is generally perpendicular to the central portion.
 5. The sanitary guard of claim 4, wherein the at least one securing element is attached to the exterior of the sidewall disposed along the straight end of the guard plate.
 6. The sanitary guard of claim 5, wherein the at least one securing element comprises adhesive or a component of hook and loop tape.
 7. The sanitary guard of claim 4, wherein the at least one securing element comprises a strap having two ends, wherein each end of the strap is attached to the sidewall of the guard plate, and wherein the strap is configured such that the guard plate can be secured to the torso of a user by tightening the strap around the torso of the user.
 8. The sanitary guard of claim 4, wherein the sidewall disposed along the straight end of the guard plate has an aperture extending through the sidewall, wherein the aperture has a lower portion having a wider diameter than an upper portion.
 9. The sanitary guard of claim 1, wherein the at least one securing element comprises a strap having two ends, wherein each end of the strap is attached to the guard plate, and wherein the strap is configured such that the guard plate can be secured to the torso of a user by tightening the strap around the torso of the user.
 10. A sanitary guard, comprising: a guard plate, wherein at least a substantial portion of the guard plate is transparent, and a means for securing the guard plate to the torso of a user in a position in which the guard plate extends outwardly from the torso of the user.
 11. The sanitary guard of claim 10, wherein the guard plate has a sidewall disposed along the perimeter of the guard plate.
 12. The sanitary guard of claim 10, wherein the guard plate has at least one end that is generally straight.
 13. The sanitary guard of claim 12, wherein the guard plate comprises a generally flat central portion and a sidewall disposed along the perimeter of the guard plate on at least the straight end of the guard plate, and wherein the sidewall disposed along the straight end is generally perpendicular to the central portion.
 14. The sanitary guard of claim 13, wherein the sidewall disposed along the straight end of the guard plate has an aperture extending through the sidewall, wherein the aperture has a lower portion having a wider diameter than an upper portion.
 15. The sanitary guard of claim 10, wherein the means for securing the guard plate to the torso of the user comprises adhesive.
 16. The sanitary guard of claim 10, wherein the means for securing the guard plate to the torso of the user comprises a component of hook and loop tape.
 17. The sanitary guard of claim 10, wherein the means for securing the guard plate to the torso of the user comprises a strap having two ends, wherein each end of the strap is attached to the guard plate, and wherein the strap is configured such that the guard plate can be secured to the torso of a user by tightening the strap around the torso of the user.
 18. The sanitary guard of claim 13, wherein the means for securing the guard plate to the torso of the user comprises a strap having two ends, wherein each end of the strap is attached to the sidewall of the guard plate, and wherein the strap is configured such that the guard plate can be secured to the torso of a user by tightening the strap around the torso of the user.
 19. The sanitary guard of claim 10, wherein the means for securing the guard plate to the torso of the user comprises a first securing element and a second securing element. 